Meet Jenny Leavell, Jane’s dear friend, and shamanic practitioner. Jenny shares about growing up with a “hippie mom” and how this open way of being kicked off her journey through various explorations of spirituality, martial arts, shamanic practices, and plant medicines. Jenny and Jane talk about the overlap between shamanism and the Western model, particularly in relation to mental health.

Jenny humorously challenges the notion of constant happiness and instead focuses on finding contentment and peace in ourselves. Jenny gives us a realistic definition of Shamanism (no, it’s not your Burner friend who just got back from an ayahuasca retreat in Peru) and how shamanism has shown up through history, and in various cultures. Jane and Jenny dive deep into unpacking the Western Culture’s focus on productivity, money, status, and accomplishment and how these ideals go against nature and our natural human cycles and needs.

We also talk about:

-Cultural appropriation in spiritual and plant medicine communities

-The importance of listening

-A shamanic Practitioner’s view of personal responsibility vs caretaking

-Intellect vs Emotional Health

Shamanic Resources:

Society for Shamanic Practice:

https://shamanicpractice.org/

The Power Path School of Shamanism:

https://thepowerpath.com/

Books by Sandra Ingerman:

https://www.sandraingerman.com/

Books and articles by Jose Stevens, PhD:

https://thepowerpath.com/shamanic-education/about-the-power-path/jose-luis-stevens-phd/

The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz:

https://www.miguelruiz.com/the-four-agreements

Learn more about Are We Happy Yet? and the hosts, Hannah + Jane:

arewehappyyetpodcast.com

alchemytherapyandwellness.com

grittherapy.com